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Workers renovating the Metro’s Farragut North and Union Station stops discovered asbestos, and they are working during off hours to remove the hazardous asbestos fibers. Workers found the asbestos in the duct jointwork in mechanical rooms, under platforms and above suspended ceilings, according to a Metro spokesperson. Metro expects the removal to last until mid-April.
Workers found the asbestos embedded in the gasket material of the ductwork. The Metro spokesperson said it is only a concern if the material is disturbed. Workers are carefully cutting the ducts between the joints to avoid tearing the asbestos. They are monitoring the air in the affected areas and say airborne fiber concentrations are well below industry standards.
The Metro spokesperson said that riders do not have cause for concern because the asbestos was in areas not accessible to the public. Before work on the stations began, workers turned off the stations’ airflow systems so the asbestos particles did not circulate.
Workers were initially repairing the two stations as part of a multi-year $177 million Red Line rehabilitation project. They will begin checking other Metro stations but do not expect to find anymore asbestos.
Asbestos is responsible for the deadly cancer known as mesothelioma. If you have mesothelioma or are concerned about asbestos exposure, contact a Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyer.